Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup
Bonded Bitesize – Your Midweek Roundup
Bonded Bitesize – Bringing you your midweek roundup of the latest in digital and media.
Stay connected with recent updates from Microsoft, Google, Meta & many more!
Reddit moderators are shutting down thousands of popular subreddits to protest rising API prices for developers
Reddit is currently facing heavy backlash from its users, moderators and developers following its API price increase. Whilst Reddit’s CEO, Steve Huffman, is staying firm in his decision, thousands of moderators of popular Reddit pages such as r/NBA, r/music, and r/videos have shut down their pages indefinitely - meaning users are unable to access these communities. In a strange turn of events, users have also began flooding open subreddits with images of comedian John Oliver to further protest the API charges that are forcing many third-party apps to shut down. It is not clear as to why Oliver has been chosen to be the face of the revolution, though continuing protests will likely deter brands and advertisers from the platform.
Spotify launches its own Ad Analytics solution to help advertisers measure the impact of their ads
Spotify has announced that it is launching its own ad analytics service for advertisers, a free solution to help measure the impact of their ads at each stage of the marketing funnel. The new set of ad tools will be available in the UK and 10 other countries, and will include measurement tools and first-party measurement solutions across podcasts and music. Spotify Ad Analytics offers advertisers access to a suite of Spotify’s IP measurement solutions, reporting for Spotify Brand List, access to online attribution and conversion life reporting and more.
Check out Spotify’s announcement here.
Google’s AI chatbot, Bard, faces launch delay in Europe over data privacy concerns
Google has been forced to delay the launch of its AI chatbot, Bard, in the EU due to ongoing concerns over data privacy amid stricter EU regulations. The Irish Data Protection Commission has prompted the postponement, claiming that the company has failed to provide sufficient details about Bard’s data privacy policies. The governing body has requested an in-depth assessment of Bard’s compliance with EU data protection rules and will subject Google to ongoing reviews of its privacy practices. Despite this setback, Google has confirmed that it is still working on expanding Bard’s availability.
The Guardian Media Group is imposing a worldwide ban on gambling advertising to protect those struggling with addiction
The Guardian has announced a global ban on gambling advertisements across its digital and print outlets, arguing that it is unethical to take money from services that can trap gamblers in an addictive cycle. The ban covers all forms of gambling ads, including promotions for sports betting, online casinos and scratchcards - however the National Lottery has been granted exclusion from the ban on the grounds that it provides social benefits to communities and has ‘non-instantaneous’ draws.
TikTok is testing a new visual search tool that allows users to upload an image to find and buy products
TikTok has been spotted testing a new Visual Search feature within TikTok Shop, a tool that allows users to discover and purchase products by taking or uploading their own images. Google, Bing and Pinterest all use visual search tools within their platforms already, so it seems TikTok is trying to boost its e-commerce efforts in line with these other companies. Whilst the test is still in its early stages, this tool could help to bring more attention to TikTok Shop, which has not been as popular in Western markets than the platform initially hoped.
Amazon rolls out first custom-built ‘Hey Disney!’ voice assistant using Alexa technology in U.S.
Amazon and Disney have announced that ‘Hey Disney!’, the new custom voice assistant built on Alexa technology, is now officially available in the U.S. for most Echo devices. Hey Disney! was initially announced in 2021 and rolled out for guests staying at Disney World Resort Hotels. This wider release marks the first time an Alexa Custom Assistant has launched on Echo devices inside customer homes. The custom assistant has its own voice and personality named ‘Disney Magical Companion’ and features over 20 characters across the Disney franchise.
Google AdSense now integrates with Google Analytics 4, 2 weeks before GA4 deadline
Google has announced that users can now establish links between google Analytics 4 properties and AdSense accounts, just two weeks before the Google Analytics 4 deadline. Google explains, “When you link your AdSense account to a Google Analytics 4 property, your AdSense data from your account becomes available in GA4 reports and explorations”. Also stating that, “By combining AdSense data with other website metrics, such as traffic sources and user behaviour, you can gain deeper insights and identify patterns that can help you to optimise your ad revenue”.
Find out how to link GA4 and AdSense here.
ITV is in talks to buy All3Media, the group behind hit shows ‘The Traitors’ and ‘Fleabag’, in bid to expand studio arm
In a bid to move away from the reliance of TV advertising, ITV has confirmed that it is in talks to buy All3Media, a production company behind the hit shows Fleabag, The Traitors and Wild Isles. ITV’s Chief Executive, Carolyn McCall, shared that she is trying to diversify the company's revenues away from relying solely on television advertising, which is expected to decline further as the UK economy slows. All3Media is rumoured to be valued at £1bn and is currently jointly owned by U.S. media companies Warner Bros discovery and Liberty Global.
YouTube is offering free creative consulting to advertisers that sign ‘substantial upfront deals’
YouTube has revealed that advertisers and agencies that sign a ‘substantial upfront deal’ will gain access to its internal consultancy, Creative Works, and their team of strategists, producers and directors. Creative Works is a full-service partner for designing, fabricating, installing and running immersive amusement experiments. While the company has not disclosed what they consider a ‘substantial deal’, this incentive is likely to appeal to bigger brands who want to connect with YouTube’s audience.
Google’s Search Generative Experience now uses photos and reviews from Google Business Profiles in responses
Google has added new capabilities to its Search Generative Experience that enables it to use data from Google Business Profiles, such as photos and reviews, to develop its AI generated snapshots. Google explains, “We’ve added new capabilities to SGE for local and travel searches, so if you ask detailed questions about a place or destination in Search, you’ll see an AI-powered snapshot that brings together the most helpful information available”. Similarly, when shopping for a product, SGE is able to show factors to consider including product descriptions, reviews, rating, prices, images and recommendations.
Amazon tests use of AI to summarise product reviews left by customers
Amazon is testing the use of AI in its shopping app, to generate summaries of product reviews left by real customers. The summaries provide a brief overview of what shoppers have liked and disliked about a product, as well as a disclaimer that the summary was generated through AI. Whilst this is likely to save users time and help them make informed decisions about their purchases, Amazon has been known to struggle with fake reviews which could mislead these summaries. One summary of a children's cauldron toy, for example, claimed that buyers gave positive feedback on the products appearance, value, quality and leakage.
Google’s new AI tool allows users to virtually try-on clothing on models of various sizes, body shapes, skin tones and ethnicities
Google has announced that it is rolling out a feature that will make it easier to determine what clothing will look like on body types, through AI. The new virtual try-on feature shows users how certain clothing fits a wide selection of real models, ranging from sizes XXS-4XL, as well as representing different skin tones, body shapes, ethnicities and hair types. This feature is currently live for select brands in the U.S. including H&M, Anthropologie and Loft, and will hopefully be expanding to more regions soon.
YouTube is expanding eligibility to its Partner and Shopping Affiliate Programs to include more creators
YouTube has announced that it is lowering the eligibility criteria of its YouTube Partner Program to allow more creators to join. The program gives creators greater access to YouTube’s resources and monetisation features as well as access to Creator Support Teams - recently expanding to include Shorts ad revenue and Shorts creators. According to the platform, creators must meet a threshold of 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in the last 90 days and either 3000 watch hours in the past year or 3m Shorts views in the last 90 days to become eligible for the YPP.
Instagram is expanding its broadcast messaging service globally, to connect more creators with their fans
Initially introduced to select creators back in february, Instagram has now revealed that it is expanding its broadcast messaging service globally, in the hope of connecting more creators with their fans and followers. With this expansion, Meta will also be adding new features to further fan engagement, such as question prompts and dedicated tabs in inboxes. In addition, Instagram is also exploring new ways for creators to promote their broadcast channels, such as setting a channel expiration date and time, adding a moderator, and sharing a link or preview to Stories.
Google to provide more data about ads served to EU and Turkey to comply with local regulations
Google has confirmed that it will provide more information about the ads that it serves the EU and Turkey in order to comply with local regulations. In the following months, the company has agreed to share insights into targeting information and ad subject matters within its Ad Transparency Center for the very first time. Google explained, “Trust in advertisers on our platforms helps us deliver a smart and useful web experience for everyone. This means providing greater transparency about who our advertisers are, where they are located and which creatives they have served through Google”.
